Telescopic extension damping

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover, in particular for a working area of ​​a machine tool, wherein the cover has several cover elements (5.1, 5.2), wherein each pair of adjacent cover elements (5.1, 5.2) forms an inner (5.1) and an outer (5.2) cover element, which can be telescopically extended and retracted. Each cover element (5.1, 5.2) has two side parts, a top wall, and a rear wall (6.1, 6.2). Each outer cover element (5.2) has at least one driver (2). Each inner cover element (5.1) comprises at least one damping unit (1), comprising a holder (1.1), an extension damper (1.2) arranged on the holder (1.1), and a retraction damper (1.3) arranged on the holder (1.1). The holder (1.1) is connected to the inner cover element (5.1). The extension damper (1.2) is connected to a driver (2) of the outer cover element (5.2) and the closing damper (1.3) to the rear wall (6.2) of the outer cover element (5.2) in combination.

Description

[0001] The subject matter of the invention relates to a cover, in particular for a working area of ​​a machine tool, comprising at least one telescopic cover unit which has at least two cover elements that are movable relative to each other.

[0002] To protect components, especially the working area of ​​a machine tool, from damage or contamination, covers are used. These protect the components, in particular, from chips, coolants, and lubricants that accumulate during the machining of a workpiece. Various types of covers for the working area of ​​a machine tool are known.

[0003] One type of cover is known that features multiple cover elements coupled synchronously. As soon as one cover element is moved, the other cover elements move with it; they are shifted synchronously. Such synchronous coupling of the cover elements is achieved, for example, by so-called shear grids connected to the cover elements. However, these have the disadvantage that every cover element is moved, even if only short travel distances are required.

[0004] Telescopic covers are also used to cover, in particular, the working area of ​​a machine tool. A key requirement for these covers is to provide a high level of protection while requiring minimal installation space. With a telescopic design, a complex coupling structure is unnecessary, as each cover element is only connected to its adjacent counterparts.

[0005] A telescopic cover has telescopically sliding cover elements. Each cover element has a first and second side wall, a top wall connected to the side walls, and a back wall. The back wall is located at one end of a cover element and can extend beyond the side walls. Each cover element has a cover-element-like geometry. The inner surfaces of the walls are oriented inwards, while the outer surfaces face outwards.

[0006] Telescopic covers have the unique feature that, when the cover is extended, each cover element is moved individually from a retracted to an extended position. Only when one cover element is fully extended is the adjacent cover element moved from its resting position until it, too, is fully extended.

[0007] When the covers are slid together, each cover element is individually moved from a rest position, from an extended to a retracted state. Only when one cover element is fully retracted is the adjacent cover element moved from its rest position until it, too, is fully retracted.

[0008] The movement of the cover elements is achieved by means of drive lugs or overlaps on the cover elements, so that a cover element moves an adjacent cover element as soon as the drive lug of one cover element strikes a stop or the back wall of the other cover element. This results in a drive impulse which, if undamped, leads to component stress and noise.

[0009] To protect the essentially horizontal guideways of a machine tool, the cover elements are guided on a guide rim of the machine tool. In the case of a vertical arrangement of a telescopically designed cover, it is guided laterally to ensure smooth operation.

[0010] The invention relates to a telescopic cover with individually movable cover elements. The cover elements are accelerated from a rest position by the adjacent cover element "carrying" one another along. In large machines, the individual cover elements are comparatively heavy. As the number of cover elements being carried along increases, so does the mass to be moved and thus the required kinetic energy. With increasing travel distances and speeds, the impact impulses of the cover elements can be very intense.

[0011] As a result, all components are subjected to high forces and moments, which can reduce the service life of the telescopic cover. In addition to material fatigue, this leads to high noise levels, which can pose a health and safety risk to operators.

[0012] Damping elements for telescopic covers are generally known. However, these known damping elements are designed to dampen impacts that occur either during the retraction or extension of the cover. According to the design of a telescopic cover, however, impacts occur in both directions. Furthermore, replacing the damping elements is often a complex and time-consuming process.

[0013] Therefore, the invention aims to provide a cover, particularly for a working area of ​​a machine tool, that can dampen impacts both in and against the extension direction. Furthermore, the cover should be operable with minimal noise emission. Additional objectives of the invention are to provide a telescopic cover with low wear and ease of assembly.

[0014] These problems are solved by a telescopic cover according to claim 1. The dependent claims are directed to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0015] A cover, specifically for the working area of ​​a machine tool, is proposed. The cover comprises several cover elements. Two adjacent cover elements form an inner and an outer cover element. The cover elements are telescopically extendable and retractable. In this context, "telescopic" means that the cover elements can be extended in one direction and retracted into one another in the opposite direction.

[0016] If the cover has three or more cover elements, at least one cover element functions as both an inner and an outer cover element. In a cover with exactly three cover elements, the middle one functions as the inner cover element relative to the cover element on one side and as the outer cover element relative to the cover element on the other side. Only the first and last cover elements of a cover function exclusively as the inner and outer cover elements, respectively.

[0017] Each cover element has two side panels, a top panel, and a back panel. When the cover elements are pushed together, the inner cover element is largely enclosed by the outer cover element.

[0018] Each outer cover element has at least one drive element. A drive element can be projecting, extending inwards, and arranged on a side panel or the top wall of the outer cover element. The drive element can also be formed by a plate attached to the inside of the cover element. It is also possible to provide a drive element by means of an internal, circumferential strip.

[0019] According to the invention, each inner cover element has at least one damping unit. A damping unit is an assembly comprising a holder, an extension damper, and a retraction damper. Both the extension damper and the retraction damper are arranged on the holder. The holder is connected to the inner cover element. Thus, the connection between each damping unit and the inner cover element is realized via the holder of each damping unit.

[0020] The drawer damper is operatively connected to a driver of the outer cover element. During a drawer extension, a driver of the outer cover element strikes the drawer damper. This dampens the impulse initiated by the strike of the driver of the outer cover element against the inner cover element.

[0021] The closing damper is operatively connected to the back wall of the outer cover element. When the cover elements are pushed together, the back wall of the outer cover element abuts the closing damper of the damping unit of the inner cover element. This dampens a driving impulse initiated by the contact between the back wall of the outer cover element and the inner cover element.

[0022] The damping unit can thus dampen both impulses that occur when the cover elements are pushed apart and those that occur when they are pushed together.

[0023] The proposed cover effectively dampens impacts, thus extending the cover's lifespan and reducing noise. Furthermore, the proposed damping units are particularly easy to install and can even be retrofitted to telescopic covers already in operation.

[0024] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the holder is detachably connected to the inner cover element. This detachable connection can be achieved, for example, by screws. A screw connection between the holder and the inner cover element offers the significant advantage that a damping unit can be easily replaced. This reduces the service life of the cover, which ultimately also reduces the service life of the machine, thus saving costs.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the holder is arranged on an outer surface of the back wall of the cover element. It has proven particularly advantageous if at least one damping unit is attached to the outer edge of the back wall's outer surface. It is also possible for several damping units to be distributed along the outer edge of the back wall's outer surface. This allows impulses to be effectively dampened and a uniform gap to be maintained. The probability of the cover elements tilting relative to each other is reduced.

[0026] Furthermore, a reduced space requirement is necessary compared to conventional damping systems. The cover according to the invention features damping elements on the rear walls of each inner cover element. A naturally occurring free space already exists here, so no additional installation space needs to be provided for the damping units. With the cover according to the invention, no force redirection is necessary, which enables efficient and low-wear damping.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the damping unit, the extension damper and / or the retraction damper comprises at least one coil spring. By selecting one or more coil springs with specific spring constants, precisely desired damping parameters can be set depending on the size and weight of the cover. This is particularly advantageous because the impulses that the damping unit is intended to dampen vary depending on the number and size of the cover elements being moved. This makes it possible to design a damping unit in different ways.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the damping unit, the extension damper and / or the retraction damper comprises at least one elastomer. This elastomer also allows for precise adjustment of the desired damping effect. The elastomer can be arranged on the holder and connected to the extension damper or the retraction damper. It is also possible for the extension damper and / or the retraction damper to be made entirely of an elastomer.

[0029] Preferably, the elastomer has a Shore A hardness of 55 to 70.

[0030] The spring-loaded damping unit or the use of elastomers allows for easy adjustment of the damping parameters to the specific load on the cover.

[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the damper is designed in a pin-shaped form. This has the advantage that the pin geometry also allows for the adjustment of the distance between the back walls of two adjacent cover elements.

[0032] Further advantages and details of the invention, as well as the technical context, are explained in more detail with reference to the figures. The figures show particularly preferred processes and embodiments, to which, however, the invention is not limited. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the matters explained in the figures and combine them with other components and findings from the present description and / or figures. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and especially the depicted proportions, are only schematic. Identical reference numerals denote identical objects, so that explanations from other figures can be consulted as needed. The figures show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a damping unit, Fig. 1.1 a rear view of the damping unit according to Fig. 1Fig. 2: a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a damping unit, Fig. 3: a perspective view of a telescopic cover during extension in the extension direction A, and Fig. 4: a perspective view of a telescopic cover during retraction against the extension direction A.

[0033] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a damping unit 1. For orientation, an extension direction A, in which a cover can be extended, is shown.

[0034] The damping unit 1 comprises a holder 1.1, a closing damper 1.3, an extension damper 1.2, and several bores 1.5. Both the closing damper 1.3 and the extension damper 1.2 are movably arranged relative to the holder 1.1. The closing damper 1.3 is pin-shaped and projects from the holder 1.1. The bores 1.5 are designed as through holes.

[0035] In the Fig. 1In the preferred embodiment of the holder 1.1 shown, it has a C-shaped frame 1.8. The frame 1.8 is connected to a front plate 1.9. The front plate 1.9 has an opening 1.10 through which the extension damper 1.2 extends.

[0036] The extension damper 1.2 is arranged between a first 1.6 and a second 1.7 damping plate. The first damping plate 1.6 has a section 1.61 which is connected to a driver 2, which will be discussed later. The section 1.61 extends into the open area of ​​the C-shaped frame 1.8. The extension damper 1.2, the first and the second damping plates 1.6, 1.7 are preferably congruent.

[0037] The closing damper 1.3 can be detachably connected to the second damping plate 1.7. It is also possible that the closing damper 1.3 has a section located between the front plate 1.9 and the second damping plate 1.7, the cross-section of which is larger than the diameter of the opening 1.10.

[0038] Figure 2 The damping unit 1 points to Figure 1 The assembly is shown in a cross-sectional view. This reveals that several coil springs 1.4 are arranged inside the holder 1.1. The coil spring 1.4 springs the retraction damper 1.2 and the extension damper 1.3. The retraction damper 1.2 and / or the extension damper 1.3 can be made of an elastomer to improve damping and reduce noise.

[0039] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a telescopic cover during extension in the extension direction A. An inner cover element 5.1 has a back panel 6.1. Several damping units 1 are attached to the back panel 6.1. Figure 3 Two damping units 1 are attached to the rear wall 6.1. This number is exemplary and can be changed as desired to influence the desired damping parameters.

[0040] The inner cover element 5.1 is movable on guide rails 7 via several rollers 4. Since this mechanism is known from the prior art, it will not be discussed further here. Two drivers 2 and a wiper 3 are also visible. Drivers 2 and wiper 3 are attached to the inside of the outer cover element 5.2.

[0041] The carriers 2 are each designed as a flat plate, which are fastened to the outer cover element 5.2 by screw connections. The wiper 3 is designed as a profile running around the inside of the outer cover element 5.2. The wiper 3 can, for example, be made of rubber and, during relative movement between the inner cover element 5.1 and the outer cover element 5.2, wipes liquids and dirt from the outside of the inner cover element 5.1.

[0042] The outer cover element 5.2, and thus the drive lugs 2 and the wiper 3, are moved in the extension direction A when the telescopic cover is extended. The drive lug 2 then comes to rest against the extension damper 1.2 of the damping unit 1. This causes the inner cover element 5.1 to be carried along by the outer cover element 5.2, and the resulting impulse is dampened. If the damping unit 1 is designed such that the extension damper 1.2 is arranged between a first 1.6 and a second 1.7 damping plate, the drive lug 2 comes to rest against the first damping plate 1.6, which acts on the extension damper 1.2. The first damping plate 1.6, in particular, increases the service life of the extension damper 1.2.

[0043] Figure 4Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a telescopic cover during retraction in the opposite direction to extension A. A rear panel 6.2 of the outer cover element rests against the pin-shaped retraction damper 1.3. This damper is made of elastomer and spring-loaded and attached to the holder 1.1. The outer cover element 5.2, and thus the rear panel 6.1, is moved in the opposite direction to extension A. The rear panel 6.2 comes to rest against the retraction damper 1.3 of the damping unit 1. The inner cover element 5.1 is thus carried along by the outer cover element 6.1, and the resulting impulse is dampened. Reference symbol list

[0044] 1 Damping unit 1.1 Holder 1.2 Pull-in damper 1.3 Pull-out damper 1.4 Coil spring 1.5 Bore 1.6 First damping plate 1.61 Section 1.7 Second damping plate 1.8 Frame 1.9 Cover plate 1.10 Opening 2 Driver 3 Wiper 4 Roller 5.1 Inner cover element 5.2 Outer cover element 6.1 Back of inner cover element 6.2 Back of outer cover element 7 Guide rail A Pull-out direction

Claims

1. Cover, in particular for a working area of ​​a machine tool, comprising several cover elements (5.1, 5.2), wherein two adjacent cover elements (5.1, 5.2) form an inner (5.1) and an outer (5.2) cover element, which are telescopically slid in and out, wherein each cover element (5.1, 5.2) has two side parts, a top wall and a rear wall (6.1, 6.2), and each outer cover element (5.2) has at least one driver (2). characterized by the fact that Each inner cover element (5.1) has at least one damping unit (1) comprising a holder (1.1), a pull-out damper (1.2) arranged on the holder (1.1) and a pull-in damper (1.3) arranged on the holder (1.1), wherein the holder (1.1) is connected to the inner cover element (5.1), and the pull-out damper (1.2) is operatively connected to a driver (2) of the outer cover element (5.2) and the pull-in damper (1.3) is operatively connected to the rear wall (6.2) of the outer cover element (5.2).

2. Cover according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the holder (1.1) is detachably connected to the inner cover element (5.1).

3. Cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the holder (1.1) is arranged on an outer surface of the rear wall (6.1) of the inner cover element (5.1).

4. Cover according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the extension damper (1.2) and / or the retraction damper (1.3) has at least one coil spring (1.4).

5. Cover according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that the extension damper (1.2) and / or the retraction damper (1.3) comprises an elastomer.

6. Cover according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that The elastomer has a Shore A hardness of 55 to 70.

7. Cover according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the insertion damper (1.3) is designed in a pin-shaped form.

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